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THE PATH TO PEACE 

BY 

JARRET CHAVOUS 



A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 
WITH PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE 



CLEVELAND 

EDW. WARREN PUBLISHING CO, 

Puhlisners 



^«&«> 






Copyright, 1918 
hy 

J ARRET CHAVOUS 



OCT !l 1918 



4 



DEDICATION 

TO THOSE WHO HAVE BLED AND DIED 
UPON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE GREAT 
WAR, FROM WHOSE MARTYRED DUST 
MUST SPRING THE BLESSED TREE OF 
UNIVERSAL PEACE; AND TO THEIR 
WIVES, MOTHERS, SWEETHEARTS AND 
SISTERS, WHOSE TEARS WILL NOURISH 
AND ENDOW IT WITH ETERNAL LIFE. 



FOREWORD 

I have followed with much concern— who has not?— the various 
stages of the great world war. And I have often found myself 
wondering what will be the final result of this gigantic carnival of 
death and destruction. When the smoke shall have cleared away 
and the great guns are again silent; when a world no longer war- 
mad shall, with corrected vision, begin to realize the enormity of its 
losses — what then? Will there be found no trace of that most 
human of all human emotions — revenge'? Can the deep, red hate 
that is now being drilled into the minds of men, wom.en and children 
be blotted out. forgotten in a night? Will the end of the zvar find a 
fertile soil for the permanent and universal peace toward zvhich the 
world gazes with such high hopes? 

With some such thoughts as these running thru my mind, I 
attended a local theater some months ago. The play was "Every- 
wonian." It told a very beautiful story of Everywoman's quest in 
search of Love. The production was beautifully staged and accom- 
panied with suitable music. 

I was very much impressed. What wonders, I argued, might not 
a play of this type accomplish immediately after the warl Think of 
a great spectacle presented thruout the warring countries, teaching 
the lesson that real victory comes not with war but with the elimina- 
tion of hate and greed and the substitution of love and a willingness 
to be of service to our fellowmen :" What hardened hearts might be 
softened, what bitter memories erased! The idea became so much a 
part of my daily thoughts that I resolved to attempt — The Path to 
Peace. 

"The Path to Peace" is not pacifist propaganda. It was con- 
ceived and written solely for use after the war. To be of service, 
however, the play would require months of preparation before the 
probable end of hostilities, and the services of a corps of zealous 
workers under a capable and efficient leader. I submit my little 
book to all who may become interested in its contents and its aim. 

The Author. 



SYNOPSIS 



PROLOGUE A battlefield 

A rT n\TTr ^ SCENE ONE Same as in Prologue 

Ai^i UiNi.. . . . I scEj^E TWO Faith's cell in the prison 

ACT TWO Throne-room of King War 

ACT THREE Before the house of Death 

A rT Trni tp 5 SCENE ONE The banquet-room 

ALl ^'-'UK...|5(~,£j^£ T^^Q Tj^^ j^^j^^ ^^ p^^^g 

EPILOGUE Same as in Prologue 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 

LIFE—a soldier. 

TRUTH— his friend. 

FAITH ] 

HOPE y— children of Truth. 

CHARITY J 

PEACE — an exiled queen. 

LOVE— an exile. 

VICTORY—? 

WAR — king of vices. 

DEATH— his daughter. 

IGNORANCE— his counselor. 

HATF ) 

GREED r^'' generals. 

FEAR — the courier. 

JEALOUSY— the herald. 

CRIME— the jailer. 

FOLLY— the jester. 

WANT ] 

PESTILENCE ;— court attendants . 

DOOM J 

OTHERS : 

VIRTUES: HEALTH, ABUNDANCE, 
MODESTY, INNOCENCE, 
CONTENTMENT, HAPPINESS, 
ABSTINENCE, PRUDENCE, ETC. 

VICES : GOSSIP, VANITY, PAIN, LUST, 

DOUBT, DESPAIR, GRIEF, 
DISSIPATION, BRAZENNESS, ETC 

SOLDIERS. 



REMARKS 

LIFE wears the uniform of a soldier thruout the play. He is young 
and good to look upon, 

TRUTH wears a cap and gown similar to that of a monk. He is old 
and repulsive until the banquet scene, when there is a great 
change. (See stage directions.) 

FAITH is a handsome youth of about eighteen years. His garb is 
neat and unpretentious. 

PEACE, HOPE and CHARITY are all beautiful maidens clothed 
in simple white robes. 

LOVE wears the dress of a peasant youth. 

WAR wears the royal robes of a king. He is very old and almost 
Wind. 

DEATH wears very beautiful gowns. Her black hair is worn loose 
and falls to her knees. 

IGNORANCE is tall, lean and awkward. He is garbed appropri- 
ately in a dull green. 

HATE is a proud, assertive fellow. He is lean and spare but ex- 
tremely neat about his person. 

GREED is fat and grasping. His elegant uniforms arc ever in a 
soiled condition. 

FEAR is small, lean and bow-legged. He goes about always in a 
crouching lope. 

CRIME is extremely loud and vulgar. 

FOLLY is an ugly hunchback with a very small head and an exceed- 
ingly large stomach. 

THE OTHERS : 

MALES — Health, Happiness, Abstinence, Contentment, Pain, 
Doubt, Dissipation, Doom, Jealousy. 

FEMALES — Abundance, Prudence, Innocence, Modesty, Lust, 
Gossip, Vanity, Despair, Brazenness, Want, Pestilence, 
Grief. 

(Must appear in dress and features symbolic of their 
respective names.) 



PROLOGUE 



10 



Scene: A battlefield at sundown. The slope is strewn with 
dead and dying. Two abandoned cannon on the brow of the hill 
contribute to the grim aspect of the scene. From afar can be 
heard the din and roar of battle. 

As the Curtain Rises: Two wounded soldiers lie in left cen- 
ter. One, First Soldier, lies face down in a pool of his own 
blood; the other, Second Soldier, against the base of a cannon, 
silent and still. The dissimilarity of their uniforms — which are 
made up to represent no particular nations — proclaims them 
enemies. 

F. SOLDIER 

(Calls weakly.) 
Water ! Water ! 

(All is again silent save the low rumble of cannon in the dis- 
tance. Amid an extra loud crash a third soldier, LIFE, enters 
left. He is wounded in the thigh and supports himself by using 
an old rifle as a crutch. A sword, dangling at his side, marks 
him an officer. Although badly wounded, the joy of battle still 
stirs in his blood as he looks off down the hill toward the dis- 
iant fray. His uniform is similar to that of F. Soldier.) 

LIFE 

See! See! They fly! They fly! 
Like frightened hares before the hunter's aim 
They scurry o'er the fields and thru the wood I 
On ! On ! My comrades, on ! The day is ours 1 
Kill ! Slay them all and let not one escape ; 
Around me here a thousand comrades lie 
Whose every drop of blood cries out revenge! 

(He starts.) 

What's this ! I grow more faint I My head's awhirl 

As if a thousand demons me possessed. 

I'm losing blood! My wounds, bleeding afresh, 

Like open spigots pour upon the ground 

Great pools of blood. All's in a haze 1 

(Sinks to earth.) 

11 



F. SOLDIER 



(Calls weakly) 



LIFE 



(Fails to notice.) 
I must sit here and rest awhile. 



(Louder) 
Water 1 Oh ! Water— 



F. SOLDIER 



Water! 



Water 1 



LIFE 
Aye, comrade? 

F. SOLDIER 

Water 1 

LIFE 

Water ? My canteen's full up to the neck, 
Filled from a spring now red with human blood. 

(Assists him to drink.) 
There, now; drink deep, 'twill help to bear you up. 

(Drinks himself.) 
Good water! clear and cool. What's better, friend. 
To give a man his courage back again ? 
Where wounded, comrade? 

F. SOLDIER 

Right here in my breast. 

LIFE 

(Examines wound.) 
A hellish hole ! but keep your courage up, 
I've seen men live with greater wounds than that. 

12 



F. SOLDIER 
Nay, nay ; my battle's fought, my day is done, 
And I go home before tomorrow's sun. 

S. SOLDIER 
(Calls weakly.) 
Water ! Water I 

F. SOLDIER 
Who calls for water now? 
LIFE 
(Angrily.) 
An enemy, a foe, a cursed dog! 
I'd see his very soul in deepest hell 
Before I'd much as moisten his dry lipsl 

F. SOLDIER 
Poor fellow I let him drink. 



Water I Water I 



LIFE 

Nay — not one drop! 

S. SOLDIER 
LIFE 



(To Second Soldier.) 

If you would have a drink, 
Drink blood, red blood that you did help to spill ; 
There is no dearth of it upon this hill. 
My comrades freely give it up to you, 
Since they will nevermore have use for it. 

F. SOLDIER 

Comrade, my time is come; I'm going fast. 

LIFE 

Keep up your courage. 

13 



F. SOLDIER 

Nay. I feel it here. 
(Hand to heart.) 
There's someone waiting for me — Will you take 
A message to her? 

LIFE 

Aye. I'll do my best. 

F. SOLDIER 

Tell her I fell with face toward the foe, 
With brave and fearless comrades by m)^ side, 
And died in a friend's arms at eventide 
Thinking — of — her — 



(Abrupt silence.) 



(No answer.) 



LIFE 
Comrade ! 



Comrade I Comrade ! 

(First Soldier is beyond human aid. He quietly passes away in 

the arms of his comrade.) 
Dead ! 

(Covers the dead soldier with his coat.) 

Rest in peace, my comrade, rest in peace. 
Your sweetheart knew, aye many months before, 
The sacred message you would have me bring; 
For in your eyes love must have read the thing 
The day you parted at her cottage door. 
Your day is o'er, your battle fought and won. 
What care you now what greets tomorrow's sun ; 
What battle rages or whose cause is lost; 
Who lives; who dies; who's wounded; what's the cost? 
So rest in peace — 

S. SOLDIER 
Water! 

14 



LIFE 

— The peace of sleep 
That knows no cruel morn of wakening; 
The peace that knows no sorrow, knows no strife ; 
The peace that is eternal — peace in death! 

(Thoughtfully.) 
But still there's One who willed us "peace on earth," 

(Cynically.) 
So I've been told. . . . Peace! . . . Here? 

(Laughs scornfully.) 

I wonder where. 

(He sinks into unconsciousness. The low rumble of heavy guns 

continues in the distance.) 

(CURTAIN.) 



15 



ACT ONE 



16 



SCENE ONE 

Scene: The savie as at end of Prologue. 

As the Curtain Rises: The distant booming of cannon 
slowly resolves itself into a low, sweet, strain of music borne on 
the night winds. A dim ray of light appears above the form of 
LIFE. As it gradually grozvs brighter, HOPE is discovered 
kneeling at his side. 



LIFE 



(Calls.) 
Peace 1 



HOPE 

Brother! . . . Soldier 1 

LIFE 

(Regains consciousness.) 

Nurse, I'm glad you've come. 
I grew so weak and faint from loss of blood 
That I was forced to stop and rest awhile, 
Then I did fall asleep. 

HOPE 

You called for Peace. 
LIFE 

I am wounded. A prying bit of shell 
Chose me for prey and buried itself here. 
I want a surgeon and a soldier's cot. 

HOPE 

? 
You called for Peace. I come to guide you there. 

LIFE 

(Smiling cynically.) 
The path to peace, methinks has ne'er been trod 

17 



By living feet. None save the dying see 
Its dim archways, its windings by the Sea 
Of All-forgetfulness. Death holds the key 
And does exact a kiss on his cold lips 
Ere one can enter the eternal gates. 

HOPE 
Not so, O Life ! There is a way to find 
A peace that is eternal — here on earth. 
Come, I will lead you there. 

LIFE 
(Angrily.) 

Speak not in jest! 
Who then are you to say where peace is found? 

HOPE 

My name is Hope and I am ever found 

Where there is Life. Whene'er I lead the way 

Shadow is sunshine, night is like the day. 

The weary traveler, burdened, in despair, 

Sees through the mists the goal still standing there. 

LIFE 

(With the aid of his improvised crutch, has regained his feet. 

He gazes in awe.) 
Ah ! you are Hope ! and know the way to peace — 
To peace on earth — and you will show me there? 

(Joyfully.) 
I'll go with you ! 

TRUTH 

(Appears before him.) 

Hear then the words of Truth. 

(LIFE starts.) 
For I must warn you — should you give up Hope, 
Lose Faith, or fail to follow words of Truth, 
Listen to Ignorance, heed tales of Fear, 
Kneel before War — then do you court with Death. 

18 



LIFE 

I seek for Peace alone. 

HOPE 

O father Truth! 
I found him on a bloody battlefield 
Bestrewn with dying comrades. From afar 
The fiendish battle raged ; Greed drove them on, 
Hate laughed the while he urged them to the fray, 
And Life, I heard cry out for Peace. 

LIFE 

True Peace. 

Be merciful, O Truth! show me the way. 

TRUTH 
The pathway leads within. 

(At a zuave of his hand a great cave opens in the side of the hill. 
Great clouds of smoke and fire issue forth. LIFE cringes in 
fear.) 

Will you still go? 

LIFE 

What lies within the cave ? 

TRUTH 

The path to Peace! 
Here lies the kingdom of Human Virtues 
And Vices. 

LIFE 

Oh I 

TRUTH 

The king is man-ordained. 
That vice or virtue man the most upholds, 
That one is king — the others, subjects all. 
And when a vice is king, ill fare the virtues, 
And likewise, when a virtue's king, the vices. 

19 



LIFE 
Who is king now? 

TRUTH 

King War sits on the throne. 
Faith, Innocence and all the virtues are 
Imprisoned in a vile dungeon, 

HOPE 

Ohl 

TRUTH 

And this day poor, sweet Charity is tried — 

HOPE 
My sister Charity! 

TRUTH 

This very day 
She will be brought before the throne of War 
For begging alms upon the market-place. 
Death walks the streets unfettered, Peace and Love 
Have flown. And were it not that I am Truth 
And cannot be o'ercome, I, too, would feel 
The butt of War's disfavor. All depends 
Upon your efforts here. If War prevails, 
Then you would have it so. If Peace returns, 
Yours is the glory. 

LIFE 
(Stands hesitant.) 

Ah I The path to Peace I 
HOPE 
(Takes him by the hand.) 
Come, then ; we enter. 

LIFE 
I will go with you. 
(They enter the cave. Truth follows.) 
(CURTAIN.) 

20 



SCENE TWO 

Scene: The cell of FAITH. There is a small window at the 
top of cell wall and a bench in one corner. A pile of straw on 
the floor serves as a bed. 

As the Curtain Rises: FAITH is discovered lying on the bed 
of straw. The stage is in semi-darkness but gradually grows 
brighter as the scene progresses. 

FAITH 

(Sings.) 

Darkness closes over me, 

Leaden hours creep by, 

But the morn will come to me 

'Cross a blushing sky. 
(Shuffling footsteps are heard without as the song ends. DISSIPA- 
TION, the keeper, enters the corridor with broom and lantern.) 

DISSIPATION 

Keep still, I say! Always you sing that song. 

(He enters the cell and throws the broom at the feet of the 

youth.) 
There, take that broom. Make yourself useful here, 

(He finds a seat upon the bench and industriously mops his 

brow as if he were hard at work.) 
The king shows me but little favor here, 
There's too much work, too little sport. 

(To Faith, zvho still kneels.) 

Get up ! 

FAITH 

(Sweeps.) 
I am so hungry, give me food — 

DISSIPATION 

(Angrily.) 

What! Food? 

21 



What substance can a virtue find in food 
Which vices relish and grow fat upon? 

(With a smirk.) 
Now had you said as much about, say — drink, 
I might have opened up my heart — and flask. 

(He laughs loudly as he produces a flask, which the youth 

refuses.) 
No? . . . Thanks! . . . Here's to your health. 

(Drinks.) 

Give me the broom! 

(Exits mopping his brow.) 
Work! Always work! Such evil days for me! 

HOPE 

(Calls without.) 
Faith! 



Ah, 'tis Hope! 
Faith! 



FAITH 
HOPE 

FAITH 

Here! 

HOPE 

'Tis Hope and Life! 
FAITH 

(Joyfully.) 
Life! Life is come! 

(LIFE and HOPE enter by way of window in cell wall. 
Brother and sister embrace.) 

HOPE 

O Faith! 

FAITH 

My sister Faith ! 
22 



HOPE 
Life comes to set you free. 

LIFE 
Aye, that I will 
And Peace restore unto her own again. 
(Footsteps are heard without.) 

FAITH 

Sh! Dissipation comes! 

LIFE 

The keeper? 

FAITH 

Aye. 

(As the keeper reels drunkenly dotvn the corridor, LIFE, reach- 
ing thru the bars, deals him a blow with the rifle that leaves 
the old man unconscious upon the floor. HOPE procures the 
keys thru the bars and opens the door of the cell. DOOM 
enters, unnoticed, notes the situation and departs hurriedly. 
LIFE sinks upon the bench, his improvised crutch having been 
rendered useless by the blow.) 

HOPE 

Come, Life. 

LIFE 

Nay, I am lost ; my crutch is gone. 

FAITH 

Arise. 

LIFE 

My crutch — my wounds 

FAITH 

Arise! I say. 
Faith heals your wounds ; Hope waits to lead the way. 

23 



LIFE 

Faith heals, you say? I'll put you to a testl 
See! Here I rise. 

(Astonishment as he rises.) 

How strange ! I do not feel 
The pains that did afflict me sorely. See! 
See ! I am up 1 No blood ! no wounds ! no pains ! 

(To Faith.) 
What manner magic this that v/orks and weaves 
Such wondrous changes! I will go with you! 

(A great commotion is heard zvithoiit. Enter crowd of vices 

led by DOOM.) 

DOOM 

(Pointing to LIFE zvhose features are hidden in the seim-dark- 
ness of the cell.) 
There I There he is ! 

1ST VICE 

The murderer. 

LIFE 

(To FAITH and HOPE, who are very much frightened.) 

Fear not. 

2D VICE 

Seize them ! 

(Vices obey.) 

3D VICE 

(As LIFE comes forward.) 
'Tis Life 1 

ALL 

Life? 

2D VICE 

True! 

24 



1ST VICE 

Go easy then. 
2D VICE 
Take him before the king. 

4TH VICE 
(Angrily.) 

Aye ! He has slain 
Our old friend Dissipation ! 

ALL 

To the king! 

2D VICE 

(To DOOM.) 
Speed! Notify the king, 
(Exit DOOM.) 

1ST VICE 
Away with them. 
(All f.rit savr DISSIPATION, 3d, and 4th VICES.) 

4TH VICE 
They've murdered Dissipation. 

3D VICE 
Is he dead? 
DISSIPATION 
(Regains consciousness.) 
Not dead, but dying — for a flask. 
(As one is produced.) 

Ah friend! 
(He ga::es about in a dazed manner.) 
Struck by a youth — 

4TH VICE 

(Laughing.) 

Methinks no youth is Life. 

25 



DISSIPATION 
Life? 

3D VICE 

Aye. They've taken him before the king, 

DISSIPATION 

Assist me then; I'll go and testify. 

(He exits supported by his two friends.) 

(CURTAIN) 



26 



ACT TWO 



«7 



Scene: The throne-room of King War. There is a door 
at left and one at right. A stairway leads to a small balcony 
over right door zvhich in turn connects, by a small door, with 
a larger outer balcony. The room and furnishings are one 
grand display of splendor and magnificence. The throne stands 
left center. Three large windows, with drawn curtains, open 
in different directions. 

As the Curtain Rises: Enter FOLLY, left, and FEAR, 
right. 



FEAR 



Ho, fool! 



FOLLY 

(Pretends not to understand.) 
So? I'll announce you. 
(Goes about crying.) 

Fool ! Sir Fool 1 

FEAR 

(Sneering.) 
Folly grows dull receiving kingly favor ; 
Your poor brain shrivels as your stomach bulges. 

FOLLY 

1 could name one v/ith neither brains nor belly, 
Whose knees, in sympathy, pretend a weight 
Not there. 



FEAR 



(Angrily.) 
Old fool! 



FOLLY 

(Bowing low.) 

Aye. 

28 



(Calls out.) 

Fool ! Sir Fool ! Old Fool ! 
(FEAR, in anger, draws his sword but replaces it as bugle 
sounds without.) 
Ah ! Jealousy, the herald ! Note you, sire. 
How quick the king responds when you're announced. 

(Enter JEALOUSY, followed by War and his following. The 
old king is seized with a sudden faintness as he enters the room. 
IGNORANCE assists.) 

IGNORANCE 

This way, my lord. 

COURTIERS 

O king ! O glorious king ! 
(The vices throw aside the great curtains. A deep rumbling is 
heard zvithout.) 

WAR 

What sounds are these? A rumbling in the eastl 

DOUBT 

(At east window.) 
The roar of cannon, O most noble king. 

WAR 

The west? 

DESPAIR 

(At west window.) 

A glow that lightens all the sky. 

WAR 

A city's burning! Say what's in the north. 

GRIEF 

(At north window.) 
A mammoth cloud rolls up to fill the sky. 

29 



WAR 

True signs of busy cannon. And the south? 

(All listen toivard audience.) 
A silence as of death. 

IGNORANCE 

A sighing wind. 
WAR 

(Gleefully.) 
The dirge of nature to a dying world. 
My fortune grows apace! What ho! my slaves! 
Bring all my treasures in that I may count 
Their fast increasing millions! Bring them all. 

(WANT and PESTILENCE spring to do his bidding.) 

Ignorance! Most wise chief counselor, 
Tell me what tidings from the front today; 

What news comes from my generals Hate and Greed? 

IGNORANCE 

Stories of glorious conquests, mammoth spoils, 
Have come but now — brought by your courier, Fear. 

(To FEAR.) 
Speak up, good Fear, and tell us all you know. 

WAR 

Ah! creeping, stealthy Fear. 

FEAR 

Most glorious king! 

1 bear a message from your generals 
That they will soon arrive — ere set of sun — 
That all the splendors from my unskilled tongue 
Would suffer in the telling, and that they 

Will come in person to acquaint your ear 
With endless tales of carnage, blood and tears. 

30 



WAR 

With much impatience will I them await. 

(To IGNORANCE.) 
See to good Fear, that food he hath and wine. 
Give him a cot to rest his weary limbs. 
See to it, 

FEAR 

O king I O most glorious king! 
(Enter WANT with great silver urn — about 5 ft. in height- 
drawn by armed guards.) 

WAR 

Ah, faithful Want! you come first with your store; 
What do you bring that pleases old King War? 

WANT 

Numberless lives. 

WAR 

(As PESTILENCE enters with large golden urn.) 
And you, sweet Pestilence? 

PESTILENCE 

Numberless broken hearts, O noble king. 

WAR 

Numberless lives! Numberless broken hearts! 

With yet the jjloody carnage just begun! 

And these poor mortals — fools that cannot see 

Beyond their noses, brother against brother, 

Each striving to exterminate the other — 

Do nothing more than mount my treasures higher. 

(To IGNORANCE.) 
What business? 

IGNORANCE 
Sir, your worthy jailer, 
31 



Bold Crime, has here another prisoner 
To bring before you. Charity's her name. 

WAR 

So! Charity a prisoner? Bring her in. 

(At an order from CRIME, CHARITY is brought in. Her 
wrists are bound with chains; her face, arms and gown are 
covered with dirt.) 

COURTIERS 

Ah, Charity! 

CRIME 

Your Majesty, I bring 
A beggar whom I just this morning past 
Found begging ahns upon the market-place. 

FOLLY 

A beggar? Charity! who's sworn to give! 
(Laughter.) 

WAR 

Speak up then, beggar; what is your defence? 

CHARITY 

I ask not alms ; I only want my friends. 
I am alone, Faith and my sister Hope 
I have not seen for many, many days; 
Peace too has flown, and Love no longer sings 
His song upon the market. Happiness 
And Modesty and all my many friends 
You have imprisoned. Truth has gone away, 
I know not where. 
(She sobs.) 



(With sarcasm.) 



CRIME 
A very sorry tale. 

32 



FOLLY 

(To WAR as all laugh.) 
She is so lonely ! Place her with her friends, 
Sire, in a dungeon dark. She would be pleased. 
True friendship asks no better test than that. 

WAR 
So let it be. Keep v/atch for Hope. 

CRIME 
Aye, sir. 
WAR 

If Truth we cannot crush — we'll use his friends. 

(CRIME leads CHARITY away. Trumpets sound without.) 

FEAR 

They cornel The generals come! 

CROWD 

(Without.) 

Hate! Greed! Hate! Greed! 
(The generals enter and kneel at the throne.) 

HATE 

O king of kings ! 

GREED 

O sovereign of sovereigns! 

WAR 

Arise! my faithful generals. Fear has brought 
Promise of wondrous tales to greet mine ear ; 
Tell me in detail and leave nothing out. 
How seemed the outcome when you came away? 

HATE 

O king of kings ! it was a glorious day I 
The battle on ere night had passed away, 

33 



And waxing ever hotter, hotter grew 
Until the sun uprising in the east, 
Grew pale lest here some rival had appeared 
Purposing to outshine him from the heavens. 

GREED 

It was a glorious sight, O king. It seemed 
A fiery furnace bedded in the hills, 
Men's souls for fuel. 

HATE 

A huge volcano with 
A mighty crater breathing liquid flames. 

GREED 

A seething caldron bubbling over blood. 

HATE 

A very hell on earth ! And as I stood 
Upon a neighboring hill and urged them on, 
It seemed that nature might have gone astray 
And earthward sent a storm wherein the clouds 
Were dark, thick, rolling from the cannon's mouth. 

GREED 

The thunder's roar — the cannon's. The lightning — 

HATE 

(Supplies.) 
The bursting of the giant bombs in air, 
The rushing winds — the scream of shrapnel shells. 

WAR 

(Eagerly.) 
And for the falling of refreshing rain — 
The pat, pat of the leaden messengers, 
Bringing sad news to hearts of men. 

34 



HATE 

Aye. 
GREED 

Aye. 
WAR 
A glorious day! What spoils from such sport? 

GREED 
Thousands of lives. Millions of broken hearts. 

HATE 
A thousand mothers weep for dying sons; 
As many wives will wait and watch in vain 
For valiant husbands who will ne'er return. 
Sisters weep for brothers; sweethearts for lovers; 
And many friends have bidden sad farewell 
To friends departing never to return. 

WAR 

True! True! A glorious day — 

IGNORANCE 

What news! 
FOLLY 

Hear! Hear! 
WAR 
For your brave deed I both of you commend, 
And do declare a feast this selfsame eve 
Spread in the banquet-room. You, Pestilence 
And Want, see to it that my will is done. 

(WANT and PESTILENCE bow and depart. Great commo- 
tion without. DOOM, rushing in, foils at the foot of the throne.) 

DOOM 

(Breathlessly.) 
My lord ! My lord ! 

35 



WAR 

(Peering about.) 

Who's there? 

IGNORANCE 

(To DOOM.) 

What is it? Speak 1 

DOOM 

The prison ! Life is come ! They bring him here ! 

WAR 
What say you — Life? 

DOOM 

Aye, sir. 

WAR 

What brings him here? 
IGNORANCE 
Some trick of Truth ; for now there comes to me 
An old, old tale, long spread about by Truth, 
That Life would come some day in search of Peace. 

WAR 

In search of Peace! 

(After some thought.) 

Come, Doubt! 

DOUBT 

Most noble king I 
WAR 
Find you my daughter ; bid her so berobe 
Herself as a high princess to appear, 
Then mask her face and bring her straightway here. 

DOUBT 

Aye, sir. 

(Departs.) 



Tonight 



WAR 

(To IGNORANCE.) 

'Twill not be long my daughter comes 
Clothed in disguise. We'll call her "Victory," 
Swearing thru her alone can Peace be found. 

IGNORANCE 
I see great promises in such a plan. 
I'll spread the news about. 

(He goes about among courtiers.) 

WAR 
(Calls.) 

Lust! 

LUST 

Sire! 
WAR 

I'll have you entertain us with your dance 
While at the feast. 

LUST 

Aye, sir. 
(Angry shouts are heard without.) 

IGNORANCE 

They bring him now 1 

WAR 

We'll greet him all. 

(Enter vices with LIFE, FAITH and HOPE.) 

COURTIERS 

All hail! All hail to Life! 
(The captors are at a loss to understand the great welcome 
accorded their prisoner. They draw away from him, fearing to 
displease their king.) 

37 



(Feigning great joy.) 
Thrice welcome, Life! 



WAR 



LIFE 



My greetings, O King War! 
I come with my good friends in search of Peace. 

WAR 

(To FAITH and HOPE, who shrink in terror.) 
Ah! Faith and Hope! 

TRUTH 

(Appears.) 

And Truth. 
(Vices shout in anger.) 

IGNORANCE 

Sh ! Silence all 1 

TRUTH 

Where vice abounds Truth is no welcome guest, 
I know full well. But 'tis decreed by One 
More powerful than all your wicked hosts, 
That Truth must ever roam about the world, 
Invincible to all ; a friend to all 
Who'll hear his words and heed his good advice. 
Listen to Truth, O Life ! Heed words of Truth. 
(Disappears.) 

WAR 

(To LIFE.) 
Let me advise you. Truth is no good friend. 
He is beloved by no one. His advice 
Is seldom welcome. He is far too rude 
In holding up your faults and weaknesses 
To meet the public gaze and ridicule. 
Seek you a good friend — here is one for you. 

38 



His name is Ignorance; he counsels well. 

He numbers not your faults like your friend Truth. 

IGNORANCE 

(Bowing low to LIFE.) 
I am your servant, sir. 

WAR 

He is your friend. 

IGNORANCE 

Did I not meet you in your wayward youth? 
We were good friends and many were the times 
You would run off from school to play with me. 

LIFE 

Now that you speak I do remember you. 

(They converse together. Enter DEATH and attendant.) 

DEATH 

(Startled.) 
Life! 

IGNORANCE 
Shi 

WAR 
(Aside to DEATH.) 

Play you the part of Victory. 

IGNORANCE 

(To LIFE.) 
But see ! the Princess Victory is come. 

LIFE 

(Amazed at her great beauty despite the mask which she wears.) 
Ah, Victory! 

IGNORANCE 

The daughter of the king. 

39 



LIFE 

Then it is true that Victory comes with War? 

IGNORANCE 

And Peace comes only after Victory — 
A Peace that is eternal. 

LIFE 

(Kneels at her feet.) 

Victory ! 

VICTORY 

Arise, O Life, 'tis Victory who should kneel. 
(He arises, speechless with admiration.) 

WAR 

(To LIFE.) 
Tonight a banquet's to be given here 
In honor of my generals, Hate and Greed. 

HATE 

Ah, Life and I have met ofttimes before. 

GREED 

He is a dear and lifelong friend of mine. 

WAR 

And we would be much pleased to have you wait 
And show us favor by your presence there. 

LIFE 

The honor I accept. I should be pleased 
To drink a roaring toa.st to Victory. 

WAR 

So let it be. 

(To IGNORANCE.) 

Let the court be dismissed. 

40 



IGNORANCE 

The court's dismissed. Anon we meet again 

Around the banquet-board. 

(All exit except WAR, HATE, GREED, LIFE, IGNORANCE, 
DEATH and attendant. Confident that LIFE is now in their 
power, the vices imprison FAITH and FIOPE on the balcony. 
DOOM is left on guard.) 

HATE 

(Assists WAR from the throne.) 

Go slow, my lord. 

GREED 

(Same.) 
Take care, my lord, take care. 

WAR 

I'm growing old. 
(To LIFE, who beckons to DEATH'S attendant.) 
I will expect you in the banquet-room. 

LIFE 
I will not fail my lord. 

(To IGNORANCE.) 

Wait yet awhile. 

(To attendant.) 
I would a word with your sweet mistress have, 
Now that the court is clear. Say this to her : 
"Since I have gazed upon sweet Victory, 
Peace loses all her many charms for me, 
And I am loath to start upon my way." 

(Attendant bows and departs.) 
How true of form she is! What wondrous grace! 
What would I give to glimpse the pretty face 
Behind her mask! 

IGNORANCE 
(Calls.) 

Good Life ! 

41 



LIFE 

(Oblivious to all as attendant signals.) 
Ah, Victory I 
She promises to wait and speak with me 1 

(He goes to the princess. At this point a pantomime of great 
importance takes place upon the balcony. FAITH slays the 
guard DOOM and substitutes his — DOOM'S — dress for the 
garb of HOPE, then carrying the body to the outer balcony, 
hurls it to the pavement below. HOPE, in the rags of the slain 
guard, takes his place upon the stairway.) 

IGNORANCE j 

(To WAR.) I 

It seems your daughter, sir, has turned his head, 'J 

When she is near he's neither eyes nor ears i 
For aught but her. 

WAR 

'Tis good! We'll lead him on. 
You, Ignorance, must keep upon his ear 
A constant din of words; he cannot then 
Give ear to words of Truth who's ever near. 

(To his generals.) 
I'll go now. 

Aye, my lord. 



HATE 



WAR 

(To IGNORANCE, who starts forward.) 
Stay. Hate and Greed 
Will their old king support. Stay you with Life. 

(To LIFE, who still speaks with DEATH.) 
I leave you with your good friend Ignorance 
Until the banquet hour ; I'll see you then. 

LIFE 

'Tis well, my lord. Methinks with Ignorance 

42 



'Twill profit me to spend a pleasant hour, 

(Exit HATE, GREED and WAR. To IGNORANCE.) 
Wait you until I speak to Victory. 

(To DEATH.) 
Still would I love to glimpse the pretty face 
Which I am sure the mask stands duty for. 

DEATH 

You ask too great a boon. But very few 
Are privileged to look on Victory's brow. 

LIFE 
But just one glimpse — just one? 

DEATH 

Nay. I am off. 
(She exits eoquettishly; attendant follozvs.) 

LIFE 



Victory ! Victory 



( Rettirning.) 



ATTENDANT 



My mistress bids 
Me say that should you come before her house 
At set of sun tonight, then she will be, 
As is her wont, upon the balcony. 

There, if you'll come, you'll find her; and, what's more, 
She swears the visit there will be well worth 
Your coming. 

LIFE 

Say to her that I will come. 
(To IGNORANCE, as attendant exits.) 
Victory — Victory — where does she live? 
I would go there tonight at set of sun. 

IGNORANCE 

An hour yet. 

43 



LIFE 

(Impatiently.) 

One hour seems one year. 
Show me the house. I'll sit before her door 
And cool impatience looking thereupon. 

(A great commotion is heard without. Enter crozvd of vices 

with the body of DOOM.) 

FIRST VICE 
'Tis Hope ! I know her gown. 

SECOND VICE 

How came she there? 

FIRST VICE 

That I know not ; but as I stood without, 

1 saw some one upon the balcony, 

And as he neared the edge he raised this form 

High o'er his head and, ere I could call out, 

Hurled it dov^'nward to the stones below. 

THIRD VICE 

The balcony ! 

ALL 

The ba.wny 1 

SECOND VICE 

(As they reach the balcony.) 

Here's Doom. 
(To HOPE.) 
Vv^ho has slain Hope? 

(HOPE points to FAITH.) 

FAITH 

i slew my sister. 
ALL 

Faith! 

44 



THIRD VICE 
A murderer 1 

FIRST VICE 

Come. Off with him to prison, 
(They descend with captive. LIFE and IGNORANCE ap- 
proach.) 

IGNORANCE 
What brawl is this? 

FIRST VICE 

A murderer. 

LIFE 

Faith! 
FIRST VICE 



(Startled.) 



He slew his sister Hope and cast her down 
From yonder balcony. 

LIFE 
(Aside.) 

Hope dead! 

IGNORANCE 

Away I 

(To HOPE as crowd exits.) 
Here, Doom I Be you attendant upon Life. 
See to his needs; supply his every want. 
So says the king. Your duties start at once. 

(HOPE bows low.) 
Come, Life. Let us to Victory's door. 

LIFE 

(Dazedly.) 

True. True. 
(They exit, followed by HOPE.) 

(CURTAIN.) 

45 



Aye. 



ACT THREE 



46 



Scene: The street before the house of DEATH. A bar- 
ren tree stands left within easy reach of a balcony over street 
door. A skull and crossbones adorn the door as a knocker. 
There is a small bench at the tree's base. 

As the Curtain Rises: Enter FEAR, who knocks loudly. 



(Within.) 
Who knocks? 



DEATH 



FEAR 



The courier. I bring to you 
A message from the king. 

DEATH 

(Appears on balcony.) 

What message this 
That bids you knock so loudly on my door? 
Speak where you are, since no one else is near. 
What says the king, my father? 

FEAR 

He did bid 
Me say that Life comes soon to pay his court. 
That you should lead him on with taunt and dare ; 
Bid him to prove the deep love he declares, 
And when you've brought him to the proper place, 
Name as a proof the death of his friend Truth, 
By his own hand to be committed. 



DEATH 



FEAR 

And charging him with insincerity, 
Urge on the deed if he should hesitate. 

47 



Ahl 



DEATH 

Say to the king, my father, his command 
His daughter will most faithfully obey. 

FEAR 

I take your message straightway to the king. 

(Exit DEATH. Enter CRIME with CHARITY in chains.) 

CRIME 

Hallo! Hallo! How fares the courier, Fear? 

FEAR 
Most well, bold Crime. Times are most fearful now, 
Today spells not the tales tomorrow brings. 
The virtues are imprisoned ; Life, but now, 
Is woven in a web of circumstance 
That bids fair to his own destruction. 
(Notices CHARITY.) 



Ah! 



What have you here? 

CRIME 



This is sweet Charity, 
Who does request a dungeon cot and fare. 
That she may still be faithful to her friends. 

(Enter crowd of vices with FAITH in chains.) 

VANITY 

Here's Charity! 

DISSIPATION 
What now ! the wench would weep I 
CHARITY 
(Sobbing.) 
I want my friends. 

PAIN 
(Pushes FAITH forward as all laugh.) 
Here, then. 

48 



FAITH 

O Charity! 

CHARITY 
O Faith I Dear Faith I 

DISSIPATION 
See I What a happy pair I 

CRIME 
(As all laugh.) 
A sorry lot. Let's off with them to prison 
To join their friends. 

FEAR 

Who knows? — perhaps a feast 
Awaits them in their cell. 

DISSIPATION 

And sparkling wine I 
CRIME 
(Laughs loudly.) 
Deliver us from all such luxuries! 

(Kicks CHARITY.) 
Up, wench. Your couch awaits you farther on. 

FEAR 

(Looking off stage.) 
Go quick! Life comes I 'Tis best they were not seen. 

(To vices.) 
We'll greet him, all. 

(Exit CRIME with FAITH and CHARITY. Enter LIFE, 

IGNORANCE and HOPE.) 

ALL 

All hail to Life! All hail! 
LIFE 

Good friends, I thank you all for kindnesses— 

49 



DISSIPATION 
A speech I 

ALL 

Speech 1 

FEAR 
Aye, a speech 1 
DISSIPATION 

Bring yonder bench. 

LIFE 

(To IGNORANCE, as he mounts bench.) 
I hardly know what I can say to them, 

(To crowd.) 
I am no orator. So dull a wit 
Would, in the framing of a fancy speech. 
Be as a man who, in a quicksand caught, 
By all his struggling only finds he sinks 
Deeper and deeper in the loathsome mass. 

VANITY 

Methinks his speech shows not so dull a wit. 

LIFE 

But still I feel I should know discontent 
Without an introduction to you all. 

BRAZENNESS 

(Advances impudently.) 
My name is Brazenness. I know you well. 
I've helped you out of many escapades. 

LIFE 

(Laughingly.) 
And helped me back into as many more. 

50 



DISSIPATION 

I wonder if you still remember me, 
Old Dissipation? 

LIFE 
That I do full well. 
And you will find that I am not averse 
To the renewal of our acquaintance. 

DISSIPATION 

I must admit I was quite struck by you. 
(Laughs loudly at his joke.) 

VANITY 

I, Vanity. 

LIFE 
You were my wife's best friend. 
GOSSIP 
And I, Gossip. I was her dearest chum. 

(The women exchange scornful glances.) 

LUST 

And I am Lust. 

LIFE 

Keep silent, little fool! 
Be not unwise to tell tales out of school. 

PAIN 

I am called Pain. 

LIFE 

(Shudders.) 

You gave me quite a chill. 
You always came to call when I was ill. 

DOUBT 

I — I am Doubt. 

51 



LIFE 

(To Despair.) 

And you? 

DESPAIR 

I am Despair. 

LIFE 

(To IGNORANCE.) 
I've met them all before, but some, I fear, 
Have proven most unwelcome visitors. 

VANITY 

Come! let's be off. It nears the banquet-hour. 

IGNORANCE 

You counsel well. We'll see you there ere long. 

(All exit save LIFE, IGNORANCE and HOPE.) 

LIFE 

(Impatiently.) 
Now let us to the house of Victory. 

IGNORANCE 

This is the place ; yonder the balcony. 

LIFE 

This is the place! 

(As IGNORANCE starts off stage.) 

Nay I do not leave me yet ! 

IGNORANCE 

I will await you down the street a way. 

(Exits, but returns immediately to hide beneath the balcony.) 

LIFE 

A dreary looking place for one so fair! 
A dark and gloomy aspect hangs about, 

52 



As if within some evil spirit lurked. . . . 

How to approach? A pebble? No .... I'll call. 

Victory 1 Sweet Victory! 

DEATH 

(Appears on balcony, but pretends not to see him.) 

I thought 

1 heard a call. It must have been the wind 
Sighing that it must roam a night so dark. 

LIFE 

Not now ! Since Victory's come it grows to light ! 
But one glance from those sparkling eyes of thine 
And I'm persuaded that the stars are out. 
A smile — the moon pours down its silvery light, 
A word — day comes amidst the pale of night. 

DEATH 

Is that you, Life? I swore you would not come. 
Being refused perusal of my face. 

LIFE 

He were a fool who failed to court the bud, 
Fearing the rose be not in hiding there. 

DEATH 

You make an art of flattery. 

LIFE 

Ah, no ! 

Speaking of you, there's written no such word. 
And were I given to name your many charms, 
Befitting words so quick to greet my lips 
Would, in this time of dire necessity, 
Die in my throat when I but gazed at you. 

DEATH 

The eyes of Life must be deep, piercing wells, 

53 



That to their gaze a mask is penetrable; \ 

Else how were he so sure of my fair face — l 

What inner sight is his to read my charms? i 

LIFE I 

What need have I of eyes to read my heart \ 

That pulses with a faster, steadier stroke '' 

At mention of your name? What good is sight 

When all my soul cries out to be with you? 

Think you if bees were blind they'd miss the flowers 

And wander aimlessly o'er hill and dale? 

Or needs the brook an eye to find its bowers 

Adown the steep and rugged mountain trail? 

Nay! 

DEATH 

True ! . . . Say more of brooks — and bees — and flowers. 

LIFE 

Aye. Like the brook, my heart has found its course, 
And, rushing with a happy, joyous shout, 
Makes of a waste a paradise of flowers. 

DEATH 

The bees! What of the bees? Found they the flowers? 

LIFE 

And like the bee, my soul has found its bloom, 
And there would sip in love's sweet ecstasy 
Till, honey-drunk, she could not fly away. 
But lie imprisoned behind its petal-bars, 
Buzzing contentment with a cell so sweet. 

DEATH 

How like a poet? 

LIFE 

Nay, how like a lover. 

54 



DEATH 
What's this? 

LIFE 

I love you ! Ah I do not draw back I 
It comes a passion burning in my breast, 
And like a mighty, roaring forest fire 
Consumes my very soul. 

DEATH 

Comes love like that? 

LIFE 

I am not versed in the ways of love, 
And cannot tell how it to others comes; 
But I do know too well how it found me. 

DEATH 

A proof of this great love. 

LIFE 

A proof indeed ! 

Name, then, the proof that you would have me give, 
And what to others seems impossible 
I swear to me will be most tractable. 

DEATH 

I know not how to frame it, yet would say it; 
And if you love me as you say is true, 
It were an easy task. 

LIFE 

Givie me the task. 
DEATH 
Tell me once more how you do love, and why. 

LIFE 
I love you! How? With all my soul! And why? 

55 



Enough that you are you and I am I ! 
Need you another reason? 'Twill suffice 
If you but let me gaze into your eyes, 
Or touch your fingers to my burning lips ; 
For I do fear the touch of your sweet lips, 
Clinging to mine as ivy on a wall, 
Would in the fiery passion of their meet, 
Leave us both weak and faint and sure to die, 
Quitting this paradise. 

DEATH 

Enough ! Enough I 
You are too much a poet. 

LIFE 

Name the proof. 
DEATH 
You have a friend I like not. He contrives 
Great schemes against my father, old King War, 
With evil purpose to o'erthrow the throne 
And hold it for himself and all his friends. 

LIFE 
You speak of Truth? 

DEATH 

Aye, Truth. 
LIFE 

He is my friend. 

But for his aid I should not have found you. 

DEATH 

What now! my faithful lover shields his friend 
Ere he's attacked! Is love so sensible? 
Indeed ! this love of yours stands little proof. 

LIFE 

I love you! I declare it! Name the proof. 

56 



DEATH 

Slay Truth—I like him not. 

LIFE 

(Startled.) 

What do you ask I 
Slay Truth f Name any other proof but that! 
Slay Truth ! 



Slay Truth. 



(Kneeling.) 
Have mercy, Victory. 



(Peeved.) 



DEATH 

LIFE 
You ask too great a thing. 

DEATH 



You begged a proof 
And, being given it, cry out against it ; 
And whispering with a coward's bated breath 
Plead for a task less fraught with consequence. 
Weak is the love that lends such small support, 

LIFE 

(Passionately.) 
I do love you ! I'll do the thing you ask 
Though it prove my undoing. That I swear. 

DEATH 

Ah ! well said, Life. Your love has stood the test, 
And as a fitting gift for your reward 
I, too, would whisper something in your ear. 
Come closer. 

LIFE 

Aye, dear love. My ears do burn, 

57 



And with an eagerness to hear your words, ^ 

Threaten to leave and in the perfumed air 
To hover around your lips expectantly. 

(Spies the barren tree.) j 

The naked tree! I'll use it for a mount, 
And ere the word is finished be with you. | 

(At the edge of the balcony.) i 

What is it, sweet? 

DEATH 

(Whispers.) 

I love you, too. 

LIFE 

You? . . Mef 
Say it again ! 

DEATH 

I love you. 

LIFE 

(Joyously.) 

And again! 
For if the word's as sweet upon your lips 
As hearing it is to these ears of mine, 
Then will the end of time still find us here, 
You whispering and I still listening. 
A kiss I 

DEATH 

Not now! 

LIFE 

A glimpse of your sweet face ! 

DEATH 

When you slay Truth. 

58 



LIFE 

Aye, Truth. I am resolved 
Tonight I'll slay him! in the banquet-room. 

(IGNORANCE steals away, but returns with heavy footsteps.) 

DEATH 

Some one approaches. 

LIFE 

I am loath to go. 

DEATH 

And I. to have you. Listen. 

IGNORANCE 

(Calls ivithout.) 

Life! OLife! 

DEATH 

'Tis Ignorance, I know his voice. 

LIFE 

(As a branch breaks under his zvcight.) 

What's this! 

DEATH 

Ah! 

LIFE 

Nothing, dear. This bare, decaying branch 
Protests that I should hold a spot so sweet, 
And envious, would assist me in descent. 
(He descends.) 

IGNORANCE 

(Without.) 
Life! 

DEATH 

Are you safely down? 

59 



LIFE 

Aye, safely down, 
But longing to come back again to you. 

DEATH 

'Twill not be long ; I will see you again. 
Do not forget the proof. 

LIFE 

I'll not forget; 
Then you, sweet Victory, are mine to keep. 
To have, to hold, to love — to love! . . . 

IGNORANCE 

(Without.) 

O Life! 

LIFE 

I come, O most impatient Ignorance. 

(To DEATH.) 
Until tonight, my love. 

DEATH 

Until tonight. 
(Exit LIFE, IGNORANCE and HOPE. DEATH laughs 
softly to herself.) 

(CURTAIN.) 



60 



ACT FOUR 



61 



SCENE ONE j 

Scene: The banquet-room. At one end of the large ban- \ 

quet-table are a dais and chair for the king. The dishes are of 
polished silver and gold and appear to contain only smoke and 
fire. A great iron door at left connects with the prison. 

As the Curtain Rises: WANT and PESTILENCE are dis- 
covered directing preparations for the banquet. 

WANT 

(Opening a large dish that emits smoke and fire.) 
See ! what a pudding for the king ! 

PESTILENCE 

But lookl 
You've let it all away. Fill it again. 
(Enter GREED.) 

GREED 

Ho, Pestilence! How long before we dine? 

PESTILENCE 

Not long; the king is now upon the way. 

(Enter HATE, CRIME, FEAR and IGNORANCE.) 

HATE 

(To IGNORANCE.) 
You say he swears to slay this Truth tonight? 

IGNORANCE 

Aye, I did hear him promise, for I stood 
Close by, with purpose to o'erhear it all. 

GREED 

'Tis good, for Life alone can do the trick. 

FEAR 

I dread the consequence of such an act. 

62 



HATE 

Cheer up, O Fear ! You give us all the creeps 
With your vaporings of apprehension. 

(Enter LUST.) 
What! Here is Lust. Why come so early, miss? 

LUST 

I am to give my dance tonight. 

CRIME 

(Pointing to a very small parcel in her hand.) 

What's this? 

LUST 

My costume. 

CRIME 

(Sneering.) 

So? You should berobe yourself 
In lighter garments. 
(Laughter.) 

LUST 

Pish ! I dance for Life — 
Not fools like you. 
(Exits.) 

FEAR 

An independent brat. 
(Trumpets sound without.) 

IGNORANCE 

The king! 

(Enter WAR and foil Giving.) 

ALL 

The king! The king! Hail to the king I 

63 



WAR 

(To IGNORANCE.) 
Where is my daughter? 

IGNORANCE 
On the way, my lord. 
WAR 

How work our plans on Life? 

IGNORANCE 

Most well, my lord. 
But just an hour ago I heard him swear 
To slay his friend tonight, with his own sword. 
Here in the banquet-room. 
(Looking left.) 

Your daughter comes. 

WAR 
Watch you for Life. 

(To DEATH, who enters.) 

My daughter. 

DEATH 

Sire? 
WAR 

All's well? 
DEATH 

Aye. He did promise everything I asked. 
Reluctant he, but I did lead him on, 
Disdaining his bold speech, swearing that he 
Must render me some proof of his great love, 
Till he at last claimed naught impossible 
And swore to do my bidding. 

WAR 

I must needs 
Commend you for the wisdom shown therein. 

64 



IGNORANCE 

(Looking off stage.) 
He comes ! We'll all together shout his name. 
(Enter LIFE and HOPE.) 

ALL 

All hail to Life! All hail to Life! All hail! 

LIFE 
(Well pleased at his reception.) 
Good friends ! for after greeting such as yours 
I am convinced that you are all my friends — 

IGNORANCE 
True! 



True, good Life ! 



HATE 



LIFE 



I have, this very day, 
Made the decision here to cast my lot 
Among you. 

GREED 

Good ! We welcome you, dear friend. 

LIFE 

(Gazing lovingly at DEATH.) 
Since Ignorance came first, I need not add : 
This day has brought me untold happiness. 

GREED 

(Interrupts cheering.) 
Come to the eats ! There's time for seriousness 
When all's consumed and all are surfeited. 
Come, Want! Come, Pestilence! The feast is served. 

(They sit. LIFE finds a place beside his new love. WANT 

and PESTILENCE direct the feast.) 

05 



LIFE 
Ahl 

DEATH 

You have not forgotten? 

LIFE 

Nay — the proof. 

The time is fitting when the feast is done. 
I am prepared. See this. 

(Discloses a sword beneath his mantle.) 

DEATH 

A sword! 

LIFE 

'Tis mine. 
Oft in the battle I have swung it true. 
A fitting thing to prove my love for you. 

GREED 

What ho! There's sport. Lust is to give her dance. 

WAR 

Where is the wench? 

HATE 

Here. 

GREED 

Here she is. 

LUST 

Old fools I 
Could you not hold your tongues till I did eat? 

CRIME 

Go to, you brat! Prepare to entertain. 
(Exit LUST.) 

66 



LIFE 

(Aside.) 
What strange consumption this — of smoke and fire I 

HATE 

(To LIFE.) 
What, sir, you do not eat. 

GREED 

Be not afraid. 
LIFE 
In truth, for food I feel no strong desire, 
And I would rather talk with Victory 
Than all your daintiest morsels to consume. 

GREED 
What now! the words of Victory fill you up? 
Vain, foolish, silly words are those of love. 
Methinks 'twould serve to turn my stomach sour. 

DEATH 

You're not in love, for who would love fat Greed? 

(Laughter. LUST enters in costume and begins a characteristic 
dance of about five minutes' duration.) 

HATE 

Look you! My lady comes out for the dance. 

PAIN 

A graceful wench. 

DOUBT 

A pretty face. 

CRIME 

A form! 

VANITY 



She, too, knows Life. 



67 



DESPAIR 
I've heard they were close friends. 
VANITY 



How close? 



DESPAIR 

(Laughing.) 

I know not. Gossip told it me. 



Where is she now? 



VANITY 

DESPAIR 
Here on my right. 

BOTH 

Gossip! 
(They continue an animated conversation unheard by the audi- 
ence. As the dance ends, LIFE and DEATH take the lead in a 
series of court dances. TRUTH, hooded and masked, appears 
left. He is erect of form and shows, beneath his surplice, the 
play of a healthy, muscular body. The dance ends abruptly.) 

LIFE 

A late comer. 

DEATH 

A stranger ! 

WAR 

(To IGNORANCE.) 

Who comes here? 

IGNORANCE 

I know him not. 

WAR 

We'll ask him to the feast, 
Then he must put aside the mask to eat. 

68 



LIFE 

He seems a stranger here. 

WAR 
(To IGNORANCE.) 

Speak you to him. 

IGNORANCE 

(To TRUTH.) 
I bid you welcome, stranger, to our board, 
And tho the fare be humble, I am sure 
You'll find enough to meet your stomach's needs. 

(To others.) 
Make place! A place! A stranger's at our board. 

HATE 
Here's room enough. 

GREED 
Here's room. Come stranger — here. 
TRUTH 
Place me a seat 'twixt Hate and grasping Greed, 
And I am no more in my element 
Than are the stars deep buried in the sea, 
Or coral lying on the desert sands. 

HATE 

(Angrily.) 
Effrontery I 

GREED 

An insult ! 

WAR 

(Amid shouts of anyer.) 

Silence all! 

(Covdcscrndhiyly.) 
Good stranger, since you like not Hate nor Greed, 
Choose you another place. 

69 



IGNORANCE 

Choose for yourself. 

TRUTH 

The festal board of War lends me no place. 

HATE 

More insult! 

GREED 

More effrontery 1 

WAR 

O Crime? 
(Aside to CRIME.) 
Tell me, bold Crime, wliat virtues are abroad? 

CRIME 

Truth, Peace and Love. The others are in chains. 

WAR 

Peace is a maiden; Love is not so bold. 
Then it is Truth who shows himself to us I 

(To IGNORANCE.) 
Say to my daughter that the time has come 
For her fair lover. Life, to keep his bond. 

(IGNORANCE zvhispers to DEATH.) 

DEATH 

(To LIFE.) 
It may be Truth who comes to us disguised. 

LIFE 
Nay. Truth is old and gray and bent with age ; 
But still, to please you, I will question him. 

(To TRUTH.) 
Good sir, since you have spurned our company, 
Do us the honor to disclose your name 
And what your business in the realms of War. 

70 



TRUTH 

M}' name is written o'er the universe. 

It ripples in the wave ; it cleaves the light, 

If you have eyes, you'll see it in the night 

That falls about you; in each leaf and flower; 

In rock and wood ; in sunshine and in shower ; 

In verdant valleys filled with waving grain ; 

In wildernesses, mountains, deserts, plains ; 

In springtime's verdure, summer's bloom and blow 

In autumn's tints and winter's quiet snows. 

If you have ears, you'll hear it in the strains 

Of heavenly music; in the thunders deep; 

In mother voice that lulls the babe to sleep ; 

In childhood's laughter ; in the robin's song. 

The lion roars it as he creeps along 

The wooded river. In the wild mob's cry ; 

The rush of winds across a storm-swept sky. 

On earth, above, beneath, he sees and hears 

My name whom Heaven has given eyes and ears. 

DEATH 

I'm sure 'tis Truth. 

LIFE 
I grow suspicious, too. 
GREED 

(To TRUTH.) 
You speak in riddles, sir. 

HATE 

More insult. 
GREED 

Aye. 
IGNORANCE 

(Aside to LIFE.) 
'Tis Truth ! Prove now your love for Victory. 

71 



HATE 

(To TRUTH.) 
Since you have spurned our friendship, scorned our feast, 
Prove then your sword's as skilled in arts of war 
As are your lips in framing fancy words. 

(HATE and GREED draw swords.) 

WAR 

Slay him! 

HATE 

Out with your shining blade ! 
(Meanwhile LIFE has stolen up from behind and with the battle 
cry of "Victory!" attempts to plunge the sword into the body of 
TRUTH. There is a great display of fire. The sword is 
broken into a thousand pieces, and LIFE is hurled by an un- 
seen force against the far wall. The stage is in darkness, save 
for a constant play of lightning overhead. The vices huddle 
together in fear. DEATH rushes back to escape. LIFE, fearing 
the loss of his new-found siveetheart, reels after her. Her mask 
and robes fall and before him leers the skeleton, DEATH, in all 
its ghasttiness. It disappears thru the door. LIFE falls at the 
feet of TRUTH.) 

LIFE 

(As TRUTH puts aside the mask.) 
O Truth, forgive. 

(The old king, at a glimpse into the face of TRUTH, reels from 
the throne. The two generals assist him back into his seat.) 

TRUTH 
Up ! Up ! There's work to do. 
LIFE 

I? there still hope for me? 

HOPE 
(Still in the rags of DOOM.) 

Aye. I am Hope. 

72 



LIFE 

(Laughs hysterically.) 
You Hope I 
(Angrily.) 

Fool! Think you this a time for jest? 

HOPE 

Nay. I am Hope. 

LIFE 

(Recognises her.) 

Ah I You are Hope I Sweet Hope I 
How came you by these vile rags of Doom? 

HOPE 
That first day on the balcony— 

LIFE 
I see! 
Faith slew him! 

HOPE 
Aye. 

LIFE 
And in this vile disguise 
You followed me. 
(Kneeling.) 

Have you still in your heart 
Room to forgive a wretch so base as I ? 

HOPE 

The heart of Hope is all-forgiving. 

FAITH 

(Calls zmthout.) 

Lifel 

HOPE 

Hear you? Faith calls, 

73 



LIFE 
Faith? 
FAITH 

Life! 
HOPE 

Behind that door 
He lies in chains ; and likewise Qiarity, 

LIFE 
I'll set them free. 

(As he approaches the door, the two generals intercept him with 
drawn swords.) 

Aside, sirs! Stand aside I 

TRUTH 

(Presents his sword to LIFE.) 
The sword of Truth. 

HATE 
(To GREED.) 

Defend that side. 

GREED 



FAITH 
LIFE 



Aye. 

Life! 



(To HATE and GREED.) 
You still refuse! Then will 1 fight my way. 
Up with your swords ! I'll win my way to Faith. 

(An exciting encouttter then takes place. HATE and GREED 
are both slain. War topples from the throne and, dragging him- 
self to the feet of TRUTH, dies in agony and rage. LIFE 
opens the great door. FAITH, ragged and bleeding, falls into 
his arms.) 
O Faith I 

74 



FAITH 

O Life, we feared so much for you I 
LIFE 

This time we shall find Peace. 

(Ciiarity enters in same unkempt condition.) 

Ah, Charity! 

(A great commotion is heard without.) 

HOPE 

The liberated virtues. Hear them shout. 

(Enter crowd of virtues.) 

TRUTH 

Off with their chains. 

(LIFE springs to obey. He comes first to HAPPINESS.) 

HAPPINESS 

Off with our chains, good Life. 

TRUTH 

Unfetter Happiness. Place them on Grief. 

(LIFE changes the chains from virtues to vices as directed by 

TRUTH.) 
The shackles worn by Modesty, give Lust. 
The chains worn by Abundance, fall to Want, 
And Pestilence awaits the chains of Health. 
To Doubt, Despair, Pain, Gossip, Vanity 
And all the rest mete out the selfsame fate. 
And to the old and arch-vice Ignorance 
Give chains of double strength. Upon his head 
Falls all the wrath of Truth. But for his wiles 
Peace had forever reigned. Off! Off with them! 

(The vices are driven thru the door into the prison.) 

(Enter LOVE.) 
Ah I Love returns. 

(They embrace.) 

75 



LIFE 

(Kneeling.) 

O Love! can you forgive? 

LOVE 

Arise, O Life. Forgiveness is well earned. 
Look you I the happy virtues all about. 

MODESTY 

Love! 

FAITH 

We missed you so. 

PRUDENCE 

We thought you lost. 
LOVE 

1 have been living in a wilderness 

Since forced to flee before the reign of War. 
Peace, too, is there. 

LIFE 

Peace? 

LOVE 

In a wild-rose bower 

She waits and watches. All's so restful there, 

Our hut is nestled on a sloping hill, 

Where grasses nod and flowers bloom and blow 

And robins sing; and far, far down below 

A laughing brook sings love songs to the trees, 

Whose branches answer in the evening breeze. 

And in a crib of roses by the door — 

But wait, I'll let you see. I'll tell no more. 

LIFE 

And will you show me to this home of Peace? 

76 



LOVI' 
Aye. 

HAPPINESS 
Seel Abundance has prepared a feast. 
CONTENTMENT 
A feast of love. 

HAPPINESS 
Come. There's abundance here. 
LIFE 
There's something here to eat — not smoke and fire. 

HEALTH 
Fall to! Enjoy yourselves. Health bids you so. 

ABSTINENCE 

Aht 

HAPPINESS 

Innocence will give her dance for us. 

PRUDENCE 

Good ! 

HAPPINESS 

Silence! Innocence will dance. 

CONTENTMICNT 

She comes. 
(The dance of INNOCENCE. It ends with great applause.) 

LIFE 

A pretty dance. 
(To LOVE.) 

Now to the home of Peace! 



LOVE 

Go you before. 

(LIFE starts left. He stops in amazement as he looks off stage.) 

LIFE 

Ah! I can see her nowl 
How strange! The mountains move toward me. Seel 
A dream! Still closer yet she comes. I see 
The roses in her hair, the vine-clad bower ! 
She smiles ! She beckons ! I will go to her 1 

(He exits, joyously calling: "Peace! Peace!" The others 
follow.) 

(CURTAIN.) 



78 



SCENE TWO 

Scene: The abode of Peace. A vine-covered hut stands 
on the brow of the hill. The time is spring; flowers grow in 
abundance; birds sing everywhere. There is an old-fashioned 
well at left and a small rose-covered crib stands beside the 
door. 

As the Curtain Rises: PEACE stands beside the crib. She 
holds in her hand a cluster of wild roses. 

LIFE 

(Calls zvithout.) 
Peace 1 Peace! Peace! Peace! I come! I come to you 1 
(She beckons joyfully. LIFE enters and embraces her.) 

PEACE 

Ah, Life! Dear Life! 

LIFE 

At last I've found true Peace. 

PEACE 

I've waited long and watched. 

LIFE 

We'll never part. 
Promise me, Peace, that we shall never part. 

PEACE 

That lies with you, O Life. Heed words of Truth, 
Be faithful unto Love, be true to Peace, 
And she will ne'er forsake you. 

LIFE 

I'll be true. 

PEACE 

But you are faint! Come, drink here at the well. 

(LIFE drinks at the well LOVE enters and embraces PEACE.) 

79 



LOVE 

Sweet Peace I 

PEACE 

Strong, noble Love. 

LOVE 

Now Life is come ^ 

And we are free to go back home again ; ' 

(Looking toward crib.) , 

Yet has our sojourn here brought us great joy. | 

(Goes to Life.) * 
Ah, Life! 



TRUTH 

(Enters.) 

Peace 1 Peace, my daughter 1 

PEACE 

Father, see I 
I plucked a rose when early morning's light 
Bent down to kiss the sleeping fxowers to bloom, 
And placed it in my window; there it grew 
Sweeter and sweeter, spreading its perfume 
About me. 

TRUTH 

Ah, my daughter, you should know 

Where there is Peace, all flowers must sweeter grow. 

PEACE 

But just this morn I passed that way again. 
And where I left that ragged, bruised stem 
These flowers grew — ten — every one of them. 
(She holds up the rose cluster.) 

TRUTH 

The prints of your small fingers on the stem t 

80 



\ 



PEACE 

I'll give them all to Life. 

(She presents them to Life.) 

A gift from Peace. 

LOVE 

A sweet reward for trials overcome. 

LIFE 

(Holding up the roses as the virtues enter.) 
Look you, good friends, a sweet reward is mine. 
Wild roses plucked by Peace! I'll form a crown 
And crown her queen again. 

(He fashions a crown of roses and places it on her head.) 

VIRTUES 

Long live the queen ! 

LIFE 

Look you — the queen of queens! 

VIRTUES 

The queen of queens! 

PEACE 

'Tis sweet to be a queen and wear a crown, 
But, Life, I hold the crown belongs to you, 
Since thru your efforts Peace has been restored. 

(Returns the crozvn.) 
Yours is the victory. 

LIFE 

Ah, Victory! 
They gave me Death and called her Victory. 
Where then is found that vague, elusive one 
Whom men call Victory? Who knows the way? 

HAPPINESS 
Not I. 

81 



Nor I. 

Nor I. 



HEALTH 
ABUNDANCE 



TRUTH 
Peace knows the way. 
LOVE 
(To PEACE, who clings to him in modesty.) 
We'll show him. 

PEACE 
Aye. 

LOVE 
(To LIFE.) 

Come. We will show you there. 
(They lead him to the crib beside the door. He gases in won- 
der.) 

LIFE 
(Joyfully.) 
This Victory? A new-born babe! 

TRUTH 

Aye, true! 
And born of Peace and Love. 

VIRTUES 

(Crowding about.) 

Ah, Victory! 

LIFE 

An offering- of roses I will give. 
She wakes I She smiles ! 

(He falls upon his knees with the offering in his outstretched 
arms. The light grows dimmer and dimmer, until the stage is 
in total darkness. LIFE is still heard whispering.) 
Victory ! Victory ! 
(CURTAIN.) 

82 



EPILOGUE 



83 



Scene: Same as in Prologue. 

As the Curtain Rises: The stage is in total darkness. LIFE 
is still heard whispering, "Victory! Victory!" as at the end of 
preceding act. The time is early morning. As the stage grad- 
ually lightens, LIFE is discovered kneeling as at the close of 
■ Act Four. In his outstretched arms is seen the canteen instead 
of the crozvn of roses; zvhere once stood the crib of VIC- 
TORY is the weakened form of the enemy of the Prologue. 
LIFE whispers in a vague and disconnected manner. Fie 
slowly comes from the unreal back again into the real. His 
countenance lightens as the true understanding comes to him. 

S. SOLDIER 

Water ! Water ! 

LIFE 

(Laughs joyously.) 

I know ! I know ! 
(He supports the weakened form of the enemy upon his knee 
and puts the canteen to his lips. The roar of guns gives way 
to an infinite silence. Slowly then the sounds of nature return: 
a cricket chirps, a bird sings, a rooster crows, a dog barks, etc. 
As LIFE assists the soldier to his feet, a glorious sun tops the 
distant hills.) 

The light! 
(They move down the hill together.) 

(CURTAIN.) 



84 



i 



